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DCF boss's removal an overdue 1st step

DMcArdle 4/29/14 Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday finally accepted the resignation of Department of Children and Families Commissioner Olga Roche.

Today we ask the same question we posed after calling for her resignation more than two months ago: Why did it take so long?

Recently, a 2-week-old Fitchburg baby being monitored by DCF and a 4-week-old Grafton infant whose potential jeopardy was transmitted by police via a fax that fell through the DCF cracks have both died.

Also, the body of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver of Fitchburg, another child under DCF care whose disappearance only became known months later when his sister confided in her teacher, was found buried in Sterling.

Yes, we realize DCF caseworkers must deal with the most dysfunctional family situations, including substance abuse, poverty and cultural differences.

And these challenges continued to be complicated by the cloud of incompetency that hung over the agency's director, which, in turn, chipped away at the morale of the employees under her charge.

These latest tragedies involving two infants apparently convinced the governor and John Polanowicz, secretary of the state's Executive Office of Health and Human Services, that no matter their professional opinion of Roche's performance, she could no longer be the face of the DCF.

Turning around that agency -- which will be led temporarily by Erin Deveney, formerly of the Registry of Motor Vehicles -- will be a monumental challenge.

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What competent individual would be willing to accept such an assignment?

At least with Roche, the administration knew who it was dealing with. The governor undoubtedly was hoping that she could implement improvements identified by the Child Welfare League of America, which performed a thorough review of the department.

With just eight months left in his term, Patrick and Roche could then depart, leaving behind a rehabilitated agency. That won't happen.

Anyone thinking about taking DCF's reins must have assurances that funding, which had been steadily cut during the Patrick administration until the current fiscal year, continues to increase, so that social workers won't be burdened with unreasonable caseloads.

Other enticements, like higher wages and counseling services, also must be enacted to lower the alarming turnover rate.

But it's obvious that even under the best of circumstances, the DCF's task of helping society's most vulnerable will continue to be an often thankless and stressful mission. The Sun of Lowell editorial board

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